Responsibility to Others
If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 CORINTHIANS 8:13
+
Responsibility to Others
In keeping with Christ's example, your strength should take [your brothers'] weakness upon itself until they, too, become strong. For if we live by the spirit and in love, we do not live for ourselves; then we live for our brothers. Therefore we shall do what is serviceable and necessary for them." "Owe no one anything," says Paul, "except to love one another" (Romans 13:8); and in 1 Corinthians 8:13 he says: "If food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat." Why? Because I love my brother, and his salvation is incomparably more important to me than my freedom, by which I am free to do what he does not yet understand to be permitted. Thus if my righteousness, wisdom, capacity, or any action whatever that is entirely permissible to me causes my brother to fall, I must give it up and render service to love.
From Lectures on Galatians (1519) (Luther's Works 27:384)
1 CORINTHIANS 8:13
+
Responsibility to Others
In keeping with Christ's example, your strength should take [your brothers'] weakness upon itself until they, too, become strong. For if we live by the spirit and in love, we do not live for ourselves; then we live for our brothers. Therefore we shall do what is serviceable and necessary for them." "Owe no one anything," says Paul, "except to love one another" (Romans 13:8); and in 1 Corinthians 8:13 he says: "If food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat." Why? Because I love my brother, and his salvation is incomparably more important to me than my freedom, by which I am free to do what he does not yet understand to be permitted. Thus if my righteousness, wisdom, capacity, or any action whatever that is entirely permissible to me causes my brother to fall, I must give it up and render service to love.
From Lectures on Galatians (1519) (Luther's Works 27:384)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2021
January
The Arm of GodSigns and PromisesThe Calling in Your HeartOur Active GodAmazing HelpThe Purpose of BaptismHave Courage to BelieveToo Soon ForgottenThe Unexpected ChangeSustained by TrustHe Who Bears All SinsA Wonderful VictoryWhen God SpeaksOur Faithful ShepherdThe Purpose of ScriptureOne Little WordThe Supreme ConsolationA Thorn in the FleshNever Doubt RedemptionThis Is the VictoryLet Your Faith Be FirmA Pure Dwelling PlaceBuilding an Eternal HouseGlorious PromisesNoble and Necessary ChastisementOur New MotivationGod Will Preserve His ChurchGod's Will, Christ's PurposeOur Savior DefinedFalse Saintliness
February
The True Center of SalvationThe Purpose of GovernmentWhat Is a Good Work?The Chief DoctrineA Simple ExplanationJoyful NewsHarmless NoiseIn God's HandsTreasure in Weak VesselsThe Pure, Clear WordWas It Better Before?Responsibility to OthersTrue EqualityA Broad InterpretationThe Flesh Is WeakWhen Pity Is WrongNo Sin AllowedTake the High RoadGod Is TrueSetting an ExampleThe Spirit Giveth LifeThe Christian LawBeware of False ShepherdsThe Lofty and the LowlyIn the Hour at HandLearning to CallWhen the Wicked SucceedTake up Your Cross
March
On Godly BehaviorThe Sheep of ChristThe Calm after the StormOn Becoming a ChristianEternal FoodConcerning Knowledge and PowerFight PowerfullyThe Yoke of ChristThe Obedient ChristThe Fulfillment of the LawDivine RighteousnessThe Gospel Is PublicTo Live as a ChristianThe Promise of GodlinessWhy Is Christ Punished?Blind Human NatureHave Faith Like ChildrenThe Spirit of TruthWaiting for GodTo Know GodThe Purpose of NeedWho Is an Apostle?When Salvation BeginsTrust in GodThe Time for RescueGod Is UnchangeableThere Is No Secret SalvationA Chosen RaceFeast of St. Michael and All AngelsWhat to Pray ForGod's Goodness